MLB Betting Odds: New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox

The New York Yankees (0-0) and Boston Red Sox (4-9) will face off for the second time during the 2012 MLB season on Saturday afternoon inside Fenway Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:05 ET

New York Yankees at Boston Red Sox

New York Yankees SP Freddy Garcia went 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA in five appearances (four starts) versus the Red Sox in 2011

New York ruined the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park with a 6-2 victory over Boston on Friday afternoon, with the offense connecting on five home runs to lead the way. The Yankees have connected on 18 round trippers since Sunday, including a shot by Alex Rodriguez in the series opener that moved him into fifth place all-time in that category. “Obviously today was our day,” commented Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher. New York is 3-2 versus left-handed starters this year and the “under” is 3-2 in those contests.

Yankees starting pitcher Freddy Garcia (0-1, 6.97 ERA) will make his third start of the young season, coming off a 7-3 home loss to the Minnesota Twins last time out, surrendering five runs and nine hits over 5.2 innings. The right-hander didn’t factor into the decision in his first road outing of the year, giving up four runs (three earned) and four hits over 4.2 frames, but the team pulled out a 5-4 win on April 10. In 21 career games (20 starts) versus the Red Sox, Garcia is 9-4 with a 4.45 ERA, including a 1-2 mark and 4.74 ERA in five appearances (four starts) last year.

Boston dropped the first of 18 meetings against its hated rival, which also led to the club’s first four-game home losing streak since April 16-19, 2010. “We’re definitely trying to do too much,” stated Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. The Red Sox certainly have the opportunity to turn things around, considering they won 12 of 18 meetings in this series a year ago. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia will likely serve as the spark plug, coming into Friday’s contest with a .406 average in his previous 17 games in this series.

Red Sox starting pitcher Felix Doubront (0-0, 5.40 ERA) hasn’t recorded a decision this year in his first two starts, but the team has managed to win both contests. The left-hander allowed four runs and nine hits in five frames in a 6-4 home win over the Tampa Bay Rays last time out. Doubront has made four relief appearances against the Bronx Bombers in his three-year career, surrendering two runs and three hits over 4.2 frames. He has thrown just 12.2 combined innings during the day in his career, but comes in with an inflated 7.11 ERA in that situation.